Since the present displacement crisis began in January 2014, following territorial gains by the Islamic State in Iraq and Al Sham (ISIS) in northern and central Iraq, the humanitarian emergency in Iraq has become more severe.

According to UN estimates, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq now stands at 3.2 million, while more than 8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

With the UN lacking funding2 and the Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Regional Government of Kurdistan (KRG) also under economic strain while battling ISIS, the protection of basic human rights and provision of humanitarian assistance are gravely compromised.